Improvement in bridges



F. E. JDSEL.

Bridges.

N0,\50,327 Patented Apr|28,1874.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIs E. JosEL, oF FREEFCRT, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN BRIDGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 150,327, dated April28, 1874; application tiled February 7, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

. cation The nature of my invention relates to improvements in thatclass of bridges known as lattice-bridges; and the invention consists inthe peculiar arrangement and disposition of the braces occupying thespandrels or spaces between the upper and straight chord, and the lowerand arched chord; in the construction of the arch-chords; and in thegeneral arrangement and combination of the different parts, all ashereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of abridge embodying my invention, and Figs. 2 and 3 perspective views 0fdetached portions thereof.

Refering to the parts by letters, letter A represents the upper chord ofthe bridge, which is straight, as shown in the drawings. B is the lowerchord, which is lcambered or arched, either as a semicircle, ellipsis,segv mental, or any other ordinary style of arch,

but is shown in the drawings as segmental, and formed of a series ofshort straight beams, b, arranged end to end. C is an iron bandextending along the under side of the beams b, to which it is boltedsecurely by bolts c c. D D are vertical beams or posts, framed securelyat their lower ends to the ends of the chord B, and at their upper endsto the chord A. Letters E represent the main braces, connecting theupper and lower chords A and B, They are arranged radially to thearch-cord B, their upper ends framed securely, as shown in the drawings,to the upper chord A, and their lower ends provided with pins e, whichrest in recesses c, framed at the adjacent ends of each and every beam bb. G G are iron rods arranged parallel with the braces E, one to eachbeam b-their upper ends passing through the chord A, and their lowerends through the chord B-consisting of the beams b and the iron band C,and provided with nuts g g at their upper and lower ends. Letters Hrepresent the counter-braces, arranged tangentially to the curve of thearch-chord B, and within the spandrels between said archa chord and thechordA and posts D D, their upper ends framed securely to the chord A,and their lower ends to the postsD D, and the braces E may be let intothem slightly at their crossing-points and bolted to them at said pointsby bolts h. I I are the abutments, built of stone or any other suitablematerial, and having projections J J, on which the ends ofthe posts Dand the ends of the arch-chords B rest, and with irm vertical ends,against which the sides of the postsD rest, and which receive the thrustfrom the braces. As shown by the full lines at Fig. l, the roadway isconstruct ed on the arch-chords A, which are about on a level with thetops of the abutments;-but in case it is desired to have an elevatedcovered bridge the lower ends ofthe posts D D and the ends of thearch-chords B B may rest on the top of the abutments, and stringers K K,for the roadway, be held in place by suspension-rods L from the chordsA, as plainly shown by dotted lines at Fig. l.

The bottom framing for the floors may be a framed iny any of theordinary styles.

The dimensions of all parts are proportioned to the strains they are toreceive.

The bridge may be built of wood or iron. If built of wood the jointsbetween the beams b b should be packed with rubber or some suitablewater-tight material, and which would relieve .the concussion from theircoming together, whether of wood or iron.

The advantages of this system of bracing are deemed evident to any oneskilled in the art, without special description.

I claim- A bridge having the straight chord A, braces E, counter-bracesH, rods G, and arched chord B, constructed substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

FRANCIS E. JOSEL.

Witnesses:

0. TAYLOR, f STERNE F. AsrINwALL.

